Opinion | How PM Modi’s Aggressive Batting Has Put Congress In A Tight Spot

Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara will be remembered as one of the most controversial addresses in India’s electoral history. He is alleged to have referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” and “those who have more children”, insinuating that the Congress is planning to distribute people’s resources to them.

It is for the Election Commission to assess whether such statements breach the model code of conduct, and for posterity to judge the appropriateness of such rhetoric from a Prime Minister. However, there is little doubt that with just one statement, the Prime Minister has significantly shifted the tone of the elections. The attack was so severe that the Congress found itself stunned and unsure of how to respond. Analysts speculate that low voter turnout may have unsettled the Prime Minister, leading him to alter the narrative.